Aid convoys on the way to Madaya

Rate Article:

Aid convoys left Damascus today to the city where dozens have already died of starvation (AFP/File).

Aid convoys are headed to the besieged Syrian town of Madaya where thousands of people are trapped and many are reported to have died of starvation, according to Reuters.

The Red Cross (ICRC)annouced the departure of the trucks to Madaya on the Lebanese border, and al-Foua and Kefraya in Idlib province as part of an agreement between the warring sides.

The blockade of Madaya by pro-government forces has been going on for months and has now become a focal issue for Syrian opposition leaders. The opposition leaders said they will participate in talks with the government until all sieges are lifted.

Blockades have become a recurring strategy in the nearly five-year-old war which has killed 250,000 people. Rebel-held areas near Damascus have been besieged by government forces for several years. More recently, al-Foua and Kefraya have been blockaded by rebel groups.